• Robinson first elected Chair of the international federation from the southern hemisphere and succeeds Sir Bill Beaumont
• New Chair promises progressive evolution of global growth strategy, deepened collaboration across the game and continued prioritisation of player welfare
• Jonathan Webb (England) elected as Vice-Chair as new governance structures are implemented
• Six new Executive Board Members elected, joining Robinson (Chair), Independent EventsCo Director, Alan Gilpin (Chief Executive), independents, and Rob Kearney and Melodie Robinson as player representatives 

Dr. Brett Robinson (Australia) has been elected as the new Chair of World Rugby, following two rounds of voting at the 2024 Interim meeting of Council in Dublin, Ireland.

At 54, Robinson becomes the first elected Chair from the southern hemisphere. He was chosen over fellow candidates Abdelatif Benazzi (France) and Andrea Rinaldo (Italy), by the 52 members of the World Rugby Council.

The vote was conducted as a secret ballot overseen by scrutineers and independent observers in line with World Rugby Bye-Laws following a nominations and vetting process. Robinson will serve a four-year term, with the possibility to stand for re-election for a second four-year term in 2028.

Addressing Council, Robinson said: “It is an immense privilege and honour to have been elected World Rugby Chair by my Council colleagues today. During the course of the process, I have had many conversations with my colleagues around the world and am heartened by our shared ambition to continue to build on the strength of our game.

"Throughout this election process, I made it clear that my commitment, if elected, would be to work closely with member unions and the World Rugby executive team to deliver:

• Financial sustainability across all member unions amid a rising cost base and wage inflation
• Prudent execution of the next phase of World Rugby’s global growth agenda
• Competitions that drive audience engagement and commercial outcomes
• Fan and player growth through investment in player safety, law reform and innovation
• A disciplined and fit for purpose governing body.

“Today, I reiterate my commitment as Chair to do so, to harness the abundant passion in our game and to lead for all, by creating the right culture to deliver commercial outcomes for a contemporary global sport, with the commitment to set a course and see it through.

“I congratulate those elected today and extend my best wishes to those who had the courage to run for office but were not successful. I look forward to now getting to work with the new World Rugby Executive Board, Alan and the World Rugby executive and my colleagues in the member unions.”

Robinson succeeds Sir Bill Beaumont, whose maximum eight-year term has now officially ended. Among many highlights, Beaumont will be remembered as a leader who delivered historic governance and international calendar reform, men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup expansion, and a modernised Rugby World Cup hosting model, focused on delivering growth and impact and the boom in the women’s game. He also steered the sport through the turbulence of the global pandemic, while deepening relationships with professional leagues and player bodies.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Webb (England) was elected Vice-Chair from the six representatives who were elected to the Executive Board. They are:

Northern hemisphere high performance unions (2): Susan Carty (Ireland), Jonathan Webb (England)
Southern hemisphere high performance unions (2): Mark Alexander (South Africa), Bart Campbell (New Zealand)
Non high performance Union (1): Sally Dennis (Canada)
Region (1): Herbert Mensah (Rugby Africa)

The six elected representatives will join the World Rugby Chair, Brett Robinson World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin, the Independent EventsCo Chair (to be appointed following an independent recruitment process), three independent members (approved by the Council and to be announced shortly – two female, including Angela Ruggiero whose current mandate runs through to 2027) and the two player representatives (Rob Kearney and Melodie Robinson) nominated by International Rugby Players (IRP) on the Executive Board.

Elected officials will serve a maximum four-year term, dependent on previously appointed individuals not reaching the eight-year aggregate term limit within this period (this does not apply to the elected Chair, who may serve up to two terms). 

Chair vote

Round 1
Benazzi 21
Rinaldo 9 (eliminated)
Robinson 22

Round 2
Benazzi 25
Robinson 27

Simple majority required

Executive Board vote

High Performance Union (North) (x2)
Susan Carty (Ireland) 46 (elected)
Richard Collier-Keywood (Wales) 24
Jonathan Webb (England) 29 (elected)

High Performance Union (South) (x2)
Mark Alexander (South Africa) 34 (elected)
Bart Campbell (New Zealand) 31 (elected)
John Eales (Australia) 19
Agustín Pichot (Argentina) 18

Non-High-Performance Union (x1)
Sally Dennis (Canada) 28 (elected)
Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi (Samoa) 5
Sebastian Piñeyrúa (Uruguay) 18

Regional Association (x1)
Qais Al-Dhalai (Asia Rugby) 15
Herbert Mensah (Rugby Africa) 21 (elected)
Richard Sapias (Oceania Rugby) 15

Vice-Chair vote

Mark Alexander (South Africa) 15
Susan Carty (Ireland) 14
Jonathan Webb (England) 23 (elected)